Winter Cloche Party

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life is hosting another cloche party. Enjoy the creative vignettes of all the participants by checking the list at her blog.

I am also linking to Friday Show and Tell. Visit Cindy at My Romantic Home for links to other Show and Tell participants.

I haven’t made many vignettes under glass, because I have so much trouble photographing -- and especially through glass. But, anyway, wanting to participate in Marty’s party, I thought I’d gather up the two cloches I have and a couple other glass display items, and at least give it a try.

PRINCESS HOUSE CRYSTAL CLOCHE WITH BIRD KNOB

This 7 " tall (without the bird) cloche displays a ceramic cherub along with tiny blue flowers and crystal prisms.

He sits atop a piece of crochet on a tulip votive which is on a white doily with pale blue border.

GARDEN BELL JAR

This large cloche is a bell jar for use in the garden. So the glass has bands around and the view is not very clear. It is 12 inches tall and 9 ¼" diameter at the bottom.
I decided to use a pale pink figurine (another thrifty 50-cent find) along with my collection of rhinestone bow-shaped brooches. They are all set on top a Martha Stewart glass cake stand, a consignment shop find for just $4.68.

She is a lovely lady with an elegant costume, an off-the-shoulder dress with a big bow in the back.

Her hair is pulled back into a bun.

The second pin from the top is from my mother, who always wore lovely brooches to church.

WOOD AND GLASS SHOWCASE

This is a 10" tall musical display case for a figurine. It plays "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" when the top is lifted. This is also a thrift store find. I am using it to showcase cardinals – those bright birds that bring so much color to the winter scene.
First, a tiny framed picture of a male cardinal alongside a less colorful female cardinal. This 3 ¾" picture cost 50 cents at a local thrift store.

Next is an ornament I got this Christmas from one of my sisters. It is covered in real feathers on top, while the breast is covered with red sparkle.

Last year the same sister gave me this wooden cardinal that has a small storage area inside under the wings.



BRASS AND GLASS VITRINE

This small (5" tall) panelled brass and glass vitrine has two doors held closed by a latch.
It displays a vintage Chinese cup with a dried rosebud set inside.

The little vitrine is set on the matching saucer which rests on a brass Chinese tray and is surrounded by more dried rosebuds.



Thanks for visiting today. Do come again soon.

Tablescape for Black Heritage Month

Last February a friend called from the church to ask me to come over to see the exhibit she had set up for the church’s first Black History Month exhibit. Several people worked with her to set up the displays. One of the displays that caught my eye was a table setting done to represent mealtime in a poor slave’s home. I am sharing a few photos I took then.

The meal setting utilizes an old card table and two old wood chairs with cane seats. A tin cook pot, two jars of corn, a kerosene lamp and a large soup ladle added to the ambience.


The place settings consisted of dark blue tin plates and mugs she had bought from Wal-Mart. The flatware was unpolished old flatware from a friend.

When they discussed whether napkins would be in order, someone said the slaves would use whatever scarf they might be wearing. My friend looked through her stash of fabric and found some blue bandana fabric that she folded under and placed as napkins.

With a white cloth as a background, this humble table setting is quite a pleasant one.

Be sure to visit our hostess Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more Tablescape Thursday posts.

Ah-hhh…the thought came to me that this is certainly a thrifty tablescape. So I am also linking to Thrifty Thursday, hosted by Leigh at Tales From Bloggeritaville.

Giveaway!

One of the fun things about blogging is participation in various blog events. There are the weekly events and the occasional giveaways. Be sure to check out Carol’s lovely blog, My Painting Room.

She is giving away a pair of silvery bird figurines, which are sure to be delightful accessories for vignettes and other tabletop arrangements.


You may gain more chances to win by following her blog and by posting about her giveaway.
When you visit, be sure to let her know Carrie sent you.

Mosaic Monday - Valentine Collage

I haven’t been able to participate in Mosaic Monday for quite some time but I just played around with photos from my Valentine posts and made a new mosaic.

Visit Mary at Little Red House for more creative photo collages. Thanks, Mary, for this fun blog event.

Since I show some of my blue and white dishes (“Out of the Blue” by Spode), I will link to Sally’s Blue Monday also. The little blue and white sign plate reads “The heart that loves is always young.”

Go to Smiling Sally for more blue-themed posts.

Show and Tell and Partying With Laurie

Laurie is having a Valentine’s Day party! Go to her blog for a fabulous post showcasing her flair and personality, as well as her creativity and skill in using graphic software.

Visit Cindy at My Romantic Home for links to other Show and Tell participants.

My table setting for Valentine’s Day is not very feminine in consideration for two boys in their late teens (plus my brother) who will be at the table. See yesterday’s post for the tablesetting details.

In a corner in the dining room is a small bachelor’s chest with a small display:

A closer look shows heart-shaped containers including a shell box from St. Thomas, US V.I. brought by my brother and his wife.

On the red paper hearts are shells made into hearts from my mother.

A Valentine’s card I received from my mother many years ago is framed in a white metal frame.

The living room coffee table has four heart frames with family photos and a small heart dish with pastel mints.

In the kitchen the top of the microwave and a small shelf display Valentine cards:

In the entrance a small table displays a small framed heart of dried flowers, and a heart pomander brought from Italy by a friend.

The colors of the two items coordinate well with the ceramic vase holding gilt paper and blue silk flowers.

Under the table, a cement angel from the summer garden rests in front of a round mirror.

Thank you for stopping by today. I would love to ready your comment!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Tablescape Thursday – Ruby Red for Valentine’s Day

The dining room table is set for dinner for family on Sunday, Valentine’s Day.

I chose to use ruby red Avon "Cape Cod" glass dishes, placed on oval embroidered place mats. Cape Cod goblets set on white paper lace doilies as coasters are accompanied by matching tumblers for water.

The napkins have lace corners and are set in the Cape Cod napkin rings. The flatware is Oneida "Raphael" stainless.

The centerpiece includes two Cape Cod vases with white flowers, set on white paper lace heart doilies. In between the vases a Cape Cod footed bowl holds a decoupage heart-shaped box on a white paper lace heart, next to a larger decoupage heart box made by one of my sisters.

For some Valentine charm, three white ceramic cupids sit on red paper hearts and hold dried rose buds.

The two end settings have paper lace heart doilies with heart shaped candy tins.

The side setting plates have heart shaped candy boxes.

At first I had planned to use a pale pink tablecloth, but decided to use these placemats for a less frilly look. The dark dishes and glass ware are given visual relief with the light colored napkins and place mats. The touches of red and white reinforce the Valentine theme.

Be sure to visit our hostess Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more Tablescape Thursday posts.